The Non Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT), which can detect a range of chromosomal and genetic variations in the unborn child simply by testing the blood of the mother, is now available to all pregnant women in the Netherlands.

With the introduction of this standard prenatal screening into public healthcare, in Iceland 100% of babies diagnosed with Down syndrome were aborted.

Members of the opposition party SGP asked the Dutch Minister of Health, Mrs. Schippers, if she planned to take any measures to prevent the Danish and Icelandic scenario from happening in the Netherlands.

Mrs. Schippers answered: “If freedom of choice results in a situation that nearly no children with Down syndrome are being born, society should accept that.”

She said that "withholding information from parents about the health of their future children is undesirable and that participation in the National population screening program is an individual decision."

NIPT, ABORTION AND GENDER-SELECTION

While participation in the screening program may be voluntary; Dutch women are not free to choose for which conditions they want to screen their pregnancy. NIPT can potentially detect hundreds of conditions, but a small group of experts have determined Down syndrome to be it’s single primary goal.

Gender-selection is banned in the Netherlands. Dutch Health officials have called sex-selective abortion discriminatory and an ‘undesirable use of NIPT’. Dutch politicians have implemented measures to prevent this practice.

“THE GODDES OF CHOICE IS THE RELIGION OF TODAY”

In an article published at the Solas Magazine blog column of Evangelical Focus,Scottish evangelical theologian David Roberston criticised the idea of a future with no people with Down Syndrome.

“The goddess of choice is the religion of our cultural and political elites today [...] there is considerable pressure on people to make the ‘right’ choice in the eyes of the professionals”, he wrote.

“All human beings are made in the image of God. All have a right to life. All lives matter. Any society that wants to survive must, in recognising these facts, care for the weak and vulnerable in their midst”, he added.

Roberston believes that “all societies need to realise that righteousness exalts a nation and sin is a reproach to any people. And all individuals within that society need to acknowledge that as human beings we are fallen and sinful. Unless as individuals we are changed for the better, society will not be changed for the better”.

Pastor Gary Wilkerson talks about what all evangelical Christians can learn from the Protestant Reformation and underlines the need for more churches with both a sound doctrine and obedience to the Holy Spirit.

Is the arrival of thousands of Muslims to Europe a threat to Christianity? What is the growth of evangelical churches in Eastern and Southern Europe? An interview with theologian and Lausanne Movement representative Lindsay Brown.

The World Evangelical Alliance Secretary General participated in the Italian Evangelical Alliance assembly (Rome, 8-9 April). In this interview with Evangelical Focus, Bp Tendero talks about the need to listen to local churches and to face challenges like the refugee crisis and climate change.

Author and international speaker Dr Pablo Martínez discusses the main challenges in Europe nowadays and hopes Evangelical Focus will be a useful tool to help build bridges between churches and society.

Young Christians gathered at Madrid’s central square Sol to denounce human trafficking. A flashmob highlighted the work of three evangelical NGOs which support women who escape sexual slavery in Spain.

Bilbao hosted the Spanish Evangelical Alliance's annual meeting (assembly). Politicians, professors and evangelical representatives shared views on social reconciliation. The theme was also analysed from a theological perspective and in workshops.

Hundreds of evangelical Christians from many denominations marched in Madrid (Spain) to pray for their city, the authorities and asking God to bring hope to its society. Many gathered in other cities on June, 11.

New atheism, the definition of "faith", Christianity in Europe, the role of the Bible in mission, and the need to listen more. An exclusive interview recorded at "Forum Apologética" (Tarragona, Spain) in May 2016.

EVANGELICAL FOCUS belongs to Areópago Protestante, linked to the Spanish Evangelical Alliance (AEE). AEE is member of the European Evangelical Alliance and World Evangelical Alliance.

Opinions expressed are those of their respective contributors and do not necessarily represent the views of Evangelical Focus.

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